Electric-call apparatus.



No. 690,623. Patented Ian. 7, I902. G. SHORE. A

ELECTRIC CALL APPARATUS. (Applicatiop filed Apr. s, 1901.) (ll o Model.)3 Sheets-Sheet I.

v WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

No. 690,623. Patented Jan. 7, I902,

' G. SHORE.

ELECTRIC CALL APPARATUS.

[Application filed Apr. 8,1901.

' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

a mmaoaqmea iii:

FIG 6.

FIG. INVENTORV.

GM M Y WITNESSES.

THE npnms PETERS 00,. mum'gummwasumomu. u.,c.

No. 690,623. Patented Ian. 7, I902.

c. smmz.

ELECTRIC GAL-L APPARATUS. (Applic'at-ioli filed Apr. 8, 1901.

(No Model.) 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

MQMJJQJJ WITNESSES. lNVELlTOR. M GM Am fi QM. Fle'z I UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SHORE, OF BOLTON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES HEAP,OF CALDERSHAW, ROCHDALE, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC-CALL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,623, dated January7, 1902.

Application filed April 8, 1901. Serial No. 54,947. (No model.)

To 011% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OHARLns SHORE, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and a resident of Bolton, in the county of Lancaster, England,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-CallApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric-call apparatus such as is used inhotels or other establishments for calling visitors by ringing electricbells or alarms in their rooms or apartments at any desired time andwhich are set in operation by the movement of a clock. v It is designedto provide a connection-board or call-board for establishing automaticelectric connection between the clock and an apartment at any requiredtime which will be simple and inexpensive in construction, easilyworked, and not liable to get out of working order.

The invention will be described with reference to the annexed drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the connection-board or call-board,showing clock in the same frame therewith. Fig. 2 is a front elevationof main connectionboard or callboard. Fig. 3 is a vertical section ofsame. Fig. i is a horizontal section of partiof same. Fig. 5 is a detailviewin perspective, to a larger scale, showing method of making contactat the connection or call board. Fig. 6 is a detail of clock-facecontact. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing electrical connections of thesystem.

In carrying out the invention a main connection or call board a isconstructed with a number of metal bars b running parallel to oneanother, and underneath them, preferably at right angles, runs a secondset of metal bars 0. The metal bars I) each represent a separate room orapartment and are electrically connected to one side of an electric bellor alarm g therein, the other side of which is connected to a battery 2.The bars cuit is completed through them.

I) are marked consecutively with numerals l 2 3,and so on, orotherwisemarked or named to correspond with the number or name of the room inwhich the bell is situated. The bars 0 represent the periods of time andare electrically connected to contact-pieces d, arranged around the dialof the clock, with which a sliding pointer e on the end of the hour-handf makes contact at consecutive divisions of time, the hour-hand f beingalso connected to the battery 2. I find that if the bars 0 are arrangedto be in circuit at consecutive quarter-hours it is sufficiently oftenfor practical purposes. An index-plate h is attached to theconnectionboard or call board, with periods of time marked thereoncorresponding with the period on the clock-dial with which the bar 0 isconnected.

On each of the bars I) is placed a sliding contact-maker j, which bringsthe two bars I) and 0 into electrical contact, so that the cir- Theslidlng contact-maker jis constructed with a slot through which thebar 1) passes and at the lower end is formed with a groove to embracethe second wire or bar 0. V A spring 7c is placed between to hold thecontact-maker in contact with both bars. As the contact-makerj is movedor slid along its room-bar b, it can be brought successively intocontact with the time-bars 0, thereby bringing the electric bell g ofthe room into circuit with the period of time on the clock-dial at whichthe alarm or call is to be given. The contact-makers j may also hear thenumber of the room. The circuit is completed through the clock hourhandfas it passes over and in contact with the metallic studs 01 affixed toit.

Where it is desired to employ the alarms for a small range of timeonlysay from six oclock to nine oclocka single call-board such asdescribed will suffice. Where, however, alarger range is required-sayfor every quarter-hour throughout the dayinstead of enlarging one boardtwo call-boards may be employed, as illustrated in the diagram, Fig. 7.In such case the second board is made in precisely similar manner withtwo sets of bars or wires m and n thereon,seven barsnrunning in onedirection, and thirty-five bars m running at right angles thereto. Thebars 'n are connected each at one end to one ofthe bars 0 of the otherboard, and the bars on are connected to the remain ing contact-points onthe clock-dial. Thus it No. 3 room is desirous of being called at, say,twelve oclock the contact-make on the first board is brought down to theposition shown in Fig. 2, which brings it through the bar 0 intocommunication with one of the bars n, and by moving the contact-makeralong such bar it contact may be made with the bar 172, which is inelectrical connection with the twelve oclock on the clock-dial.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent,is-

In a call apparatus the combination with a clock-dial and contact-piecesthereon, clockhands, an electric battery, and an electric circuit, of aconnection-board or call-board with transverse bars, one setrepresenting the place Where the call is to be given, a second setrepresenting the time when the call is to be given, and a third set toconnect the connectionboard or call-board to a second board, and asecond board with one set of bars to connect it with the first board,and a second set of bars to connect it with the contact-pieces on theclock-dial to give a longer range of timeperiods substantially asdescribed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses, this 26th day of March, 1901.

OI-IAS. SHORE.

Witnesses:

' J. OWDEN OBRIEN,

FRANK SPARKES.

